Abstract
Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the second most common cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. HCV genotype is the strongest predictive factor for sustained virological response (SVR). The patients with different HCV genotypes act differently in response to alpha interferon therapy, thus, the patient genotype plays vital role in treatment outcome. The aim of the present study was to assess molecular epidemiology of HCV genotypes and subtypes circulating in Hyderabad, Sindh. A cross sectional study was conducted for a period of six months from July2015 to December 2015. A total of 577 samples of HCV positive patients were collected for analysis of HCV genotypes and subtypes using Real-time PCR Assay. Out of 577 cases 57.54% (n=332) were male and 42.46% (n=245) were females. Age groups between 21 and 60 years comprised 90.47 % (n=522) of the patients. HCV 3 genotype was most frequent genotype infecting 489 (84.75%) of the patients. The second most common variety was untypeable 9.36% (n=54). A little number of patients yielded mixed variety of genotypes. The prevalence of other genotypes as follows: Genotype 1(0.52%), 1, 1a (0.87%), 1, 1b (2.43%), 1b (0.17%), 2 (0.69%), 3, 4 (0.87%), 4 (0.35%). Genotypes 5 and 6 were not identified in any patient enrolled in this study. In summary, HCV genotype 3 was the most prevalent at Hyderabad, Sindh. Despite the availability of antiviral therapy, apparent increase in HCV 3 genotype burden seems alarming and warrants urgent measures to prevent the spread of HCV infection. Keywords: Genotyping; HCV; Hepatitis C; Hyderabad; SVR http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700171
Highlights
V genotype is the strongest predictive factor for sustained virological response (SVR)
Determining the genotype of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is very important as the duration of HCV treatment has been shown to be genotype associated, where some genotypes of HCV are treated in shorter duration while others require more time to obtain SVR and eradication of virus successfully [4, 5]
Materials and methods Sampling and study duration A cross sectional prospective study was undertaken at institute of Microbiology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro and Asian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) Hyderabad from six months from July 2015 to June 2015
Summary
V genotype is the strongest predictive factor for sustained virological response (SVR). HCV genotypes 1a, 5, and 6 were not detected among patients studied. The studied patients were categorized in three different age groups and prevalence of age associated HCV genotypes among male and female patients was determined (Table 2 & 3). Genotype 3 was the most prevalent in both male and female patients. Seven genotypes were common in both genders; genotype 4 was only detected in males but not in females in the present study. The present study has demonstrated mixed HCV genotypes; only one pattern of mixed genotypes (3, 4) with a very low prevalence was noticed. The pattern of genotype distributions in male and females revealed that HCV genotype 3 was the most common genotype in both genders, no substantial difference in the distribution of genotypes between two genders was observed. Periodical investigations of HCV genotypes are needed to monitor distribution patterns of genotypes to facilitate treatment options and preventive strategies
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